Published April 15, 2015 by

Donut Dollies Dorset & Mary visit the Cu Chi Tunnels War Memorial Park

Before Leaving Ho Chi Min City, Red Cross Donut Dollies Dorset (Hoogland) Anderson and Mary (Blanchard) Bowe visited the Cu Chi Tunnels War Memorial Park.  As Cu Chi was Dorset’s second base posting with the 25th Infantry Division (Tropic Lightning), this was an important, but somber stop during Dorset and Mary’s first trip back to Vietnam in 46 years.

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Red Cross Donut Dollies Dorset (Hoogland) Anderson and Mary (Blanchard) Bowe, the Memorial Park Guide and Suong, our translator/fixer discussing the history of the Cu Chi Tunnels

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Red Cross Donut Dollie Mary (Blanchard) Bowe exiting a portion of the Cu Chi Tunnels during a tour of the site

 

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25th Infantry Division AMERICAN RED CROSS OVERSEAS ASSOCIATION ARCOA BERKSHIRE BERKSHIRE COUNTY Cu Chi Cu Chi Tunnels Cu Chi Tunnels Memorial Park CUMMINGTON Documentary Donut Dollies DONUT DOLLY HAMPSHIRE COUNTY HO CHI MIN CITY MASSACHUSETTS RED CROSS SCHERTZ TX SHERTZ Texas Tropic Lightning veterans vietnam Vietnam War WESTERN MA WESTERN MASS WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

Published April 14, 2015 by

Donut Dollies Dorset and Mary take a Pedi-cab ride through Ho Chi Min City

After filming interviews at the Continental Hotel Saigon, Donut Dollies Dorset and Mary wanted to see the sights, and decided on a Pedi-cab ride. The first photo shows Dorset and Mary in the first Pedi-cab, Director Norm Anderson and translator/fixer Suong in the second, and Producer Jess Hill driving a scooter with Cameraman Joe Cicio on back. Later that evening our Photographer captured two beautiful street scene shots, the first of a building’s awning, and the second of a Virgin Mary statue. (All photo credits – Angeline Herron)

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AMERICAN RED CROSS OVERSEAS ASSOCIATION ARCOA BERKSHIRE BERKSHIRE COUNTY CUMMINGTON Documentary Donut Dollies DONUT DOLLY HAMPSHIRE COUNTY HO CHI MIN CITY MASSACHUSETTS RED CROSS SCHERTZ TX SHERTZ Texas veterans vietnam Vietnam War WESTERN MA WESTERN MASS WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

Published April 13, 2015 by

Donut Dollies Dorset & Mary do their first interview in Vietnam

After arriving in Ho Chi Min City, Dorset and Mary sat down for their first interviews in Vietnam at the Continental Hotel Saigon to discuss their experiences of serving as Red Cross Donut Dollies over 46 years ago. This began 2 weeks of extensive travel and filming in the cities where they had been stationed. Stay tuned for more photos from our documentary trip.  (all photos taken 02/28/15)

Donut Dollie Dorset (Hoogland) Anderson being interviewed at the Continental Hotel Saigon - Photo credit - Angeline Herron
Donut Dollie Dorset (Hoogland) Anderson being interviewed at the Continental Hotel Saigon – Photo credit – Angeline Herron
Donut Dollie Mary (Blanchard) Bowe being interviewed at the Continental Hotel Saigon - Photo credit - Angeline Herron
Donut Dollie Mary (Blanchard) Bowe being interviewed at the Continental Hotel Saigon – Photo credit – Angeline Herron
Donut Dollies Dorset (Hoogland) Anderson and Mary (Blanchard) Bowe doing a joint interview at the Continental Hotel Saigon - Photo credit - Angeline Herron
Donut Dollies Dorset (Hoogland) Anderson and Mary (Blanchard) Bowe doing a joint interview at the Continental Hotel Saigon – Photo credit – Angeline Herron

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AMERICAN RED CROSS OVERSEAS ASSOCIATION ARCOA BERKSHIRE BERKSHIRE COUNTY Continental Hotel Saigon CUMMINGTON Documentary Donut Dollies DONUT DOLLY HAMPSHIRE COUNTY HO CHI MIN CITY MASSACHUSETTS RED CROSS SCHERTZ TX SHERTZ Texas veterans vietnam Vietnam War WESTERN MA WESTERN MASS WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

Published April 10, 2015 by

Photos of Donut Dollies Dorset & Mary arriving in Ho Chi Min City

In mid-March we returned from our 2-week filming trip to Vietnam, and following this once-in-a-lifetime journey we took a break to recharge our batteries. We’ve started to review the many hours of film footage and numerous still photos, which documented Donut Dollies Dorset (Hoogland) Anderson and Mary (Blanchard) Bowe on their first trip back to Vietnam in 46 years. Big thanks go out to Angeline Herron for taking these 3 photos. We hope you’ll follow our postings to see the story of this special trip unfold.

Photo 1 – Donut Dollies Dorset and Mary’s plane arriving at the Ho Chi Min City Airport

Photo 2 – Dorset and Mary pushing their luggage cart through the airport lobby

Photo 3 – Dorset and Mary waiting for their van with our documentary’s producer, Jess Hill. As soon as they arrived in the Ho Chi Min City airport, they were both given wireless microphone and filming began. (all photos taken 02/26/15)

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AMERICAN RED CROSS OVERSEAS ASSOCIATION ARCOA BERKSHIRE BERKSHIRE COUNTY CUMMINGTON Documentary Donut Dollies DONUT DOLLY HAMPSHIRE COUNTY HO CHI MIN CITY MASSACHUSETTS RED CROSS SCHERTZ TX SHERTZ Texas veterans vietnam Vietnam War WESTERN MA WESTERN MASS WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

Published April 5, 2015 by

‘Donut Dollie’ Dorset Anderson returns to Vietnam — this time with filmmaker son

In The News

AMERICAN RED CROSS OVERSEAS ASSOCIATION ARCOA BERKSHIRE BERKSHIRE COUNTY CUMMINGTON Documentary Donut Dollies DONUT DOLLY HAMPSHIRE HAMPSHIRE COUNTY LABOR OF LOVE MASSACHUSETTS MASSLIVE RED CROSS SPRINGFIELD REPUBLICAN veterans vietnam Vietnam War WESTERN MA WESTERN MASS WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

Published March 8, 2015 by

The Donut Dollies receive a warm welcome in Tuy Hòa, Vietnam

Mary and Dorset (in their vintage uniforms) were warmly welcomed at Bob’s Café American in Tuy Hòa, Vietnam. They were both very moved by this gesture, and enjoyed some terrific BBQ!

We are a little over a week into our trip to Vietnam with the Donut Dollies and things are going very well. We’ve met some wonderful people – both Vietnamese and ex-pats – who have been very welcoming and helpful on our quest. We’ll be sharing more photos in the days to come.

Tuy Hoa welcome at Bob's

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AMERICAN RED CROSS OVERSEAS ASSOCIATION ARCOA BERKSHIRE BERKSHIRE COUNTY CUMMINGTON Documentary Donut Dollies DONUT DOLLY Dorset Hoogland Anderson HAMPSHIRE COUNTY HELICOPTER Huey Mary Blanchard Bowe MASSACHUSETTS memories RED CROSS Schertz Texas Tuy Hoa veterans vietnam Vietnam War WESTERN MA WESTERN MASS WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

Published March 7, 2015 by

The Donut Dollies visit Nha Trang

While in Nha Trang, Mary and Dorset spoke with a friendly local women in their attempt to locate the villa where the Donut Dollies lived. As this trip is about locating history, they found that sometimes what you’re searching for isn’t on a map, but locked deep within memories. Our journey of discovery continues…

Mary & Dorset in Nha Trang with a friendly local lady

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AMERICAN RED CROSS OVERSEAS ASSOCIATION ARCOA BERKSHIRE BERKSHIRE COUNTY CUMMINGTON Documentary Donut Dollies DONUT DOLLY Dorset Hoogland Anderson HAMPSHIRE COUNTY HELICOPTER Huey Mary Blanchard Bowe MASSACHUSETTS memories Nha Trang RED CROSS Schertz Texas veterans vietnam Vietnam War WESTERN MA WESTERN MASS WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

Published March 4, 2015 by

The Donut Dollies journey to Vietnam has begun

With the first couple days of filming completed, here’s a first look at Donut Dollies Dorset (Hoogland) Anderson and Mary (Blanchard) Bowe on their first trip to Vietnam in 46 years. The first photo shows these longtime friends in Nha Trang and the second shows Mary meeting the local wildlife in Dong Ba Thin. The last photo shows Norm on his birthday as he receives his birthday cake from his mother (these mother and son smiles are priceless). In case you were wondering, happy birthday translates to chúc mừng sinh nhật in Vietnamese. Please check back to see more photos as this once-on-a-lifetime trip continues through Cam Ranh, Cu Chi, Nha Trang, Pleiku, Qui Nhon and Tuy Hoa.

Mary & Dorset in Nha Trang - P1010621 - edited version

Mary meets the local wildlife in Dong Ba Thin - P1010559 - edited version

Norm & Dorset with birthday cake in Vietnam - edited version

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AMERICAN RED CROSS OVERSEAS ASSOCIATION ARCOA BERKSHIRE BERKSHIRE COUNTY CUMMINGTON Documentary Dong Ba Thin Donut Dollies DONUT DOLLY Dorset Hoogland Anderson HAMPSHIRE COUNTY HELICOPTER Huey Mary Blanchard Bowe MASSACHUSETTS memories Nha Trang RED CROSS Schertz Texas veterans vietnam Vietnam War WESTERN MA WESTERN MASS WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

Published February 26, 2015 by

Can you help us identify the soldier in this picture?

We’re sharing this photo, because it clearly captures a special moment for everyone in the photo. It was taken somewhere in or around Cu Chi in 1968 – 1969, with Donut Dollies Dorset (Hoogland) Anderson and Julie (Pence) Van Matre, and the soldier appears to have the name patch of “Cole”. What’s interesting about this photo, is that on the left side of the background appears to be a damaged bridge with a group of soldiers looking on from the other side at this Donut Dollie photo-op.

Donut Dollies Doc photo #3 - Dorset Anderson & Judy Pence with unknown soldier

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AMERICAN RED CROSS OVERSEAS ASSOCIATION ARCOA BERKSHIRE BERKSHIRE COUNTY Cu Chi CUMMINGTON Documentary Donut Dollies DONUT DOLLY Dorset Hoogland Anderson HAMPSHIRE COUNTY HELICOPTER Huey Julie Pence Van Matre MASSACHUSETTS memories RED CROSS Texas veterans vietnam Vietnam War WESTERN MA WESTERN MASS WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

Published February 26, 2015 by

The Donut Dollies Documentary begins filming in Vietnam

Later today, Norm Anderson, the director of the Donut Dollies Documentary will arrive in Saigon/Ho Chi Min City with two Red Cross Donut Dollies, Dorset (Hoogland) Anderson and Mary (Blanchard) Bowe to begin filming their return to Vietnam for the first time in over 46 years. Along with a film crew including Jess Hill (Producer), Joe Cicio (Cameraman) and Angeline Herron (Camerawoman), they will be filming in Cam Ranh, Cu Chi, Nha Trang, Pleiku, Qui Nhon and Tuy Hoa. The mission of this trip is to document the memories of two of the 627 college graduates who volunteered through the American Red Cross to serve our brave soldiers during the Vietnam War.

Videos

AMERICAN RED CROSS OVERSEAS ASSOCIATION ARCOA BERKSHIRE BERKSHIRE COUNTY CUMMINGTON Documentary Donut Dollies DONUT DOLLY Dorset Hoogland Anderson HAMPSHIRE COUNTY HELICOPTER Huey Mary Blanchard Bowe MASSACHUSETTS memories RED CROSS Schertz Texas veterans vietnam Vietnam War WESTERN MA WESTERN MASS WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS